On Thursday, July 14th, 2011, the Incept Gives Board held its monthly meeting… with a twist. Instead of sitting around the Incept conference room table, as we normally do, we gathered in the parking lot at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. We were about to get a firsthand look at the miracles made by Incept’s donation last year.

A Look Back

In June of 2010, in front of our employees during an Employee Of the Month ceremony, the Incept Gives Board was proud to make a donation to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank that went toward purchasing and distributing 100 cases (or 4,800 cans) of tuna. Tuna is one of what the food bank calls its “Super 6″ foods. In non-food-bank lingo it means that among other things it’s high in protein and lasts for a long time. This makes tuna a high-value commodity for the local agencies that distribute food to local community members in need.

Because of the hard work and success of Incept’s employees, 4,800 cans of tuna went directly into the hands of people in Stark County who were fighting to put food on the table. Our donation impacted our neighbors, friends and coworkers. We are proud to have made an impact in our local community.

Firsthand Experience

Getting to see the facilities at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank firsthand really amplified the feelings I had about the importance of the work they do. It’s always an honor to get an inside look at an organization when we have the chance to meet at their facilities or take a group tour. But touring the food bank had a special impact on me, especially when our host informed us that U.S. Census Bureau reports indicated that in 2009 24.8% of all children in Stark County, OH lived in poverty. Take any four children from your average grade school classroom in 2009, and one of them is hungry and living below the poverty line. Knowing such things made our visit that much more meaningful for me.

As we toured the food bank, we all felt humbled by the scope of what they do. They have an entire warehouse housing industrial shelves loaded with donated and purchased food. The massive freezer in the back of the facility is large enough to fit my apartment and still have room for storage. The loading zone where member distribution agencies pick up food is organized and set up with military-like precision, so not a single item goes to waste. It was almost overwhelming to think of how effectively this organization impacts the lives of so many people.

How To Get Involved

In short, I was left in awe by the work the team at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank does. If you’d like to get involved, there are a number of ways in which you can make a difference, ranging from donating your time to hosting a food drive in your community. You can also make a financial donation or attend one of the food bank’s events, like their Taste Of The NFL event in September.

If you’d like to learn more about the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, who they help, how you can get involved or how they can help you, visit their website: www.akroncantonfoodbank.org.

As always, stay tuned for more updates from the Incept Gives Board. Remember that you can always make a difference!